Desarrolla el potencial del agua: Postdoc en gestión de recursos acuáticos

Oferta compartida por Cristina

Postdoc in the elicitation of stakeholder water values

At the Faculty of Engineering and Science, Department of Chemistry and Bioscience, we open a Postdoc position in the elicitation of stakeholder water values within the Horizon Europe project SOS-Water. The position is for 1.5 years with the potential for extension and opens for appointment from 1 October 2022 or soon hereafter. The place of employment is the Section of The Section of Bioscience and Engineering in Aalborg. The Section of Bioscience and Engineering consists of 90 people of which about 30 is associate- and full professors. The section’s conducts internationally competitive research within a range of topics within Biology and Biotechnology and publishes more than 100 peer reviewed publications annually. The section is responsible for the educations in Biology, Biotechnology, Medical Biotechnology and Environmental Science and is mostly located in Aalborg, but also conducts research and teaching at Esbjerg Campus.
Job description

Water scarcity, water quality degradation and the loss of freshwater biodiversity are critical challenges worldwide, which have primarily been driven by a significant increase in water withdrawals and climate change during the last century. In the coming decades, climate and societal changes are projected to further exacerbate these challenges in many regions around the world. As such, defining a safe operating space (SOS) for water resources in a changing climate and society is urgently needed to ensure a sufficient and reliable supply of water of a quality acceptable for human activity and natural ecosystems. However, defining the SOS for the entire water resources system at spatial scales relevant to decision-making and its projections into the future requires going beyond state-of-the-art water system modelling toward a holistic and participatory assessment framework that includes data gathering, integrated modelling, and working with stakeholders. SOS-Water aims to create the foundation for this framework. The project will co-create future scenarios and management pathways with stakeholders in five case studies in Europe and abroad. It will advance water system models and link them with impact models of ecosystem services and biodiversity, to create a novel integrated water modelling system. This integrated water modelling system will be benchmarked against a wide range of state-of-the-art Earth observations and will be used to calculate selected indicators covering all dimensions of water resources systems, to ultimately design a multi-dimensional SOS of policies and water management pathways evaluated across a broad set of scenarios.

The Postdoc position will focus on closing the gap between theory and praxis in SOS-Water by closely collaborating with local stakeholders. This approach will ensure real-world relevance of SOS-Water by co-developing roadmaps for the stakeholder engagement process based on local problem-framing and co-identifying knowledge and preferences of local stakeholders related to aquatic biodiversity and ecosystem services, which feeds into the technical WPs and ultimately informs the design of the water-system SOS-framework.

Key tasks of the prospective postdoc will include: 1) Identifying and mapping key stakeholders per case study and co-developing the problem-framing based on Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) theory (more specifically multi-attribute value and utility theories). 2) Elicitation of stakeholder preferences including locally important indicators, value preferences for objectives in the form of value functions as well as risk behaviours for building utility functions, and weights for individual objectives that comprise the local decision problem using interview protocols.

SOS-Water provides a highly interdisciplinary work environment with 12 partners across Europe, within which the prospective postdoc will conduct their work.



Competences of the ideal applicant: Hold a PhD degree in Environmental or Social Sciences or in a relevant field
Experience with aquatic ecosystem/water management
Experience with stakeholder engagement
Experience with using R and ArcGIS/QGIS
Preferably (but not mandatory) experience with multi-objective planning approaches and decision analysis theory
An integrative and cooperative personality with good communication skills
Fluency in English – written and oral
Solid publication record
Complex problem-solving skills and critical thinking
Ability to work in an interdisciplinary setting
Highly motivated
Ability to conduct work in a structured and systematic manner and with a sufficient degree of freedom

All interested candidates are encouraged to apply, regardless of their personal background. We value diversity and see it as a strength.

We are a dynamic workplace with high professionalism and efficiency, a good working environment and with a focus on work-life balance. We strive for a culture with collaboration that promotes openness and curiosity towards new initiatives and ideas and with a constructive approach to problem solving. As an employee at the department, you will be part of an international research environment, with a focus on innovation, knowledge sharing and excellency as well as interdisciplinary collaborations.

You may obtain further information about the project from Associate Professor Dan Bruhn by e-mail: db@bio.aau.dk

The Department of Chemistry and Bioscience provides cutting-edge research and teaching in biotechnology, biology, environmental science, chemistry and chemical engineering. Our research solves important topics for the benefit of society, and through research-based teaching, we educate independent, collaborative and solution-oriented bachelors, graduates and PhDs.

At the department, we have high-profile research groups and individual researchers who deliver world-class applied and basic scientific research with a mission-driven approach, and who contribute to the development of new technologies, methods, and new basic insights within natural science and engineering. The department is divided into two sections: Section for Bioscience and Engineering and Section for Chemical Science and Engineering, as well as one administration. Both sections have activities on both Aalborg and Esbjerg campuses. The day-to-day management is handled by the head of department, the deputy heads of research and education, and the head of the secretariat in collaboration with section leaders.



Qualification requirements:

Appointment as Postdoc presupposes scientific qualifications at PhD–level or similar scientific qualifications. The research potential of each applicant will be emphasized in the overall assessment. Appointment as a Postdoc cannot exceed a period of four years in total at Aalborg University.

The application must contain the following: A motivated text wherein the reasons for applying, qualifications in relation to the position, and intentions and visions for the position are stated.
A current curriculum vitae.
Copies of relevant diplomas (Master of Science and PhD). On request you could be asked for an official English translation.
Scientific qualifications. A complete list of publications must be attached with an indication of the works the applicant wishes to be considered. You may attach up to 5 publications.
Dissemination qualifications, including participation on committees or boards, participation in organisations and the like.
Additional qualifications in relation to the position. References/recommendations.
Personal data.

The applications are only to be submitted online by using the "Apply online" button below.

Shortlisting will be applied. After the review of any objections regarding the assessment committee, the head of department, with assistance from the chair of the assessment committee, selects the candidates to be assessed. All applicants will be informed as to whether they will advance to assessment or not.

AAU wishes to reflect the diversity of society and welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of personal background or belief.

For further information concerning the application procedure please contact Camilla Bjerregaard Bock by mail est-ef-hr@adm.aau.dk or phone (+45) 9940 9582. Information regarding guidelines, ministerial circular in force and procedures can be seen here
Agreement

Employment is in accordance with the Ministerial Order on the Appointment of Academic Staff at Universities (the Appointment Order) and the Ministry of Finance's current Job Structure for Academic Staff at Universities. Employment and salary are in accordance with the collective agreement for state-employed academics.
Vacancy number

2022-224-04828
Deadline

07/09/2022